Liquor Modernization

As a firm with clients involved in the modernization of our liquor laws, we are constantly asked “what’s next?” 

Legislation surrounding liquor modernization is primarily focused on the “clean up” of statute changes brought about by SB383 (2016). It was expected as SB383 rewrote all the alcohol statutes. This is also the primary reason SB383 carried an October 2018 effective date.  
 
Because SB282 includes so many details regarding interactions between manufacturers and wholesalers and wholesalers and retailers, some details need tweaking.  
 
The Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission (ABLE), which currently licenses more than 650 retail liquor stores, will be responsible for licensing approximately 5,000 grocery and convenience stores, as well as re-issuing licenses for wholesalers, craft breweries, and wineries. This is not an easy task and will take time, which is worrisome considering rules for ABLE must be adopted prior to 2018.  

One major change to Oklahoma's liquor laws will likely be the passage of HB 2186, which allows movie theaters to apply and obtain a license to sell alcohol. Currently allowed at all states surrounding Oklahoma, this practice has aided in the economic development of new entertainment venues, as well as, supplementing existing developments by allowing for the sale of beer, wine and mixed drinks. This allows all theater owners the opportunity to develop their own models (i.e. Alamo Drafthouse, Flix) and abolishes the protectionist law that allows for only one theater to operate in this space.